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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
You can go back to the stockers "16's" with 265/70/16 to take it down in tire size alittle but not making it look too dinky lifted and small tires. I'd suggest getting 1.5" spacers for it if you go that route. Not really much you can do to get "great mpg's" out of the Trac. How much are you getting to a tank? Full to Empty? Gotta remeber your speedo is off so it's not reading the correct mileage.
i run 30's, no difference from the stocks. sport 97 says he sees no difference with 32's, maybe you could try that and it wouldnt be much difference from your 33's. wish you lived in cali, im trying to sell my 30" tires to upgrade to 32"s or 33"s. we coulvde traded!
Agreed on the narrow width. I should mention when I said 32, i have a 265/75/16 which is a 32x10.50, not the 32X11.50x15 tire. Also pay attention to tire weight. A lighter tire is less rotational mass. And maybe go with a more mild all terrain tire to gain better road manners/efficiency but still be able to go off road.
I was just thinking about what gears you have. You might be hurting on the mileage cause you have 3.73's, I can't remember if you ever said what gears but that would explain it. I have 4.10's and running 33x12.50x15 DuraTrac's on steel 15x8 wheels which are heavier then the 285/75/16's on the stock aluminum wheels with aluminum 1.5" wheel spacers and haven't seen any difference in mileage. I do feel it more when coming to a quick stop. What gears do you have?
im pretty sure I have 373s but not 100% Feels like my truck is hurting to pull these big 33s i looked under the truck to see if there is a badge on the axle but all i saw a green sticker on the passenger side of the axle that says 663a. I can tell there was a difference in
If you're getting 15mpg with 33's then don't complain, I wish I could get that good of mileage. LOL. If you have 373's then you're seriously putting alot of strain on your drivetrain and brakes.
I would think you would get better then 15 on the highway. I average about 15 with more then half of my driving spent in stop and go traffic in rush hour. I have 32s and I have a yakima basket on top of my truck. I have a stick shift which helps but maybe a tune up is in order?
i have averaged it a few time with only freeway trips and its 15. 10 in city driving. My tires are alot of my truck for sure. Tirerack says my tires are 57 pounds a piece thats not including rims I cant find how much they weigh. Whats the best size to run with 373?
With 373's, you want something smaller then a 32" best bet is stock 29" (255/70/16) or maybe get away with a 31x10.50x15.
You could always look for a cheap set of stockers or 30's/ 31's run them for business and keep the 33's for play on weekends. This is why I haven't sold my stock 16" XLT rims yet just incase I need them for whatever reason. I need tires for them but I can get them cheap off of Craig's List.
Bigger rims mean more metal weight, aluminum like the stockers are your best bet for weight loss. Those mud tires are alot of weight, you could in theory get a more road friendly tire and shed a bunch of weight but still stuck with 33's with 373 gears.